In recent years, travel nursing has become incredibly popular as a career option that allows medical professionals to see new places while still providing essential care. It brings together the joy of travel and the satisfaction of assisting patients in different medical settings. But for nurses who are also parents, choosing to pursue a career in travel nursing can be difficult because it affects not only their personal and professional lives but also their children’s welfare. Here’s everything you need to know about the different nuances of travel nursing with kids, as well as a few tips and ideas on how to make this experience more fulfilling than ever.

Travel nursing with kids: what you should know:

Research and Planning

It’s essential to do extensive study and make careful plans before stepping foot in the world of travel nursing with your family. Investigate possible travel locations and medical facilities first. Think about important aspects like the cost of living, the standard of education, the availability of childcare, and how family-friendly the areas you are considering are overall. Additionally, make sure you are knowledgeable about the state-specific licensing criteria for nurses and look into the availability of nursing opportunities in the places you are interested in.

Housing and Accommodation

When travel nursing with kids, finding appropriate housing is a crucial part of the travel nurse experience. It’s critical to locate lodging that meets your family’s unique demands while remaining within your means. Considerations include the neighborhood’s safety, the ease of access to the medical facility, and the presence of parks and other recreational spaces where your kids can play and explore. Even while a lot of travel nurse firms help with housing searches, it’s important to do your homework to make sure the apartment is suitable for your family’s comfort and well-being.

Maintaining Stability

It is crucial to integrate stability into your travel nurse lifestyle if you have children. Establishing a routine that includes regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and quality family time is crucial since children thrive on regularity and uniformity. Make sure to always have time to play with your kids, and include helpful items such as educational Montessori toys for 2-year-olds that are not only good for playing but also for your child’s development.

To address any worries or anxiety your kids may have over the frequent moves and changes to their surroundings, foster open conversation with them. It will be much easier for your kids to adjust to the special difficulties of the travel nurse lifestyle if you can keep your family feeling stable.

Schooling and Education

Managing their education while traveling can be a big worry for parents whose kids are in school. Look into the local educational systems in the places you intend to work, and find out about the prerequisites and enrollment processes. Because travel nursing assignments can last for several months, you will need to determine if it is preferable to homeschool your child or to enroll them in a local school during your assignment. Flexibility is possible with homeschooling, but it also requires careful preparation and adherence to state laws.

Childcare and Support

Oftentimes, travel nursing requires working erratic hours, which can make it more difficult to get trustworthy child care. Look for daycare centers that fit your work schedule and make sure they have the necessary licenses and safety precautions in place. If you have local family or friends who are available to help when needed, try contacting them in addition to formal childcare arrangements. Make sure to ask about these possibilities during your assignment discussions. Some travel nursing firms also provide resources to assist you in locating reliable childcare providers.

The Rewards of Travel Nursing with Kids

There is no denying that travel nursing with kids has its share of special difficulties, but there are also many amazing benefits. Your kids will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn about and interact with many cultures, make new friends, and hone their resilience and adaptability—qualities that will benefit them much in the long run. Together, you will forge enduring memories and deepen your relationships as a family through shared experiences and obstacles.

In addition, travel nursing can offer prospects for professional advancement and financial security, both of which are ultimately advantageous for your family’s future. Accept the adventure, maintain organization, and look for assistance from other travel nurses who have completed this journey with their families in a successful manner. Ultimately, you will find that travel nursing is a rewarding experience because the benefits far exceed the drawbacks.

If you approach travel nursing with kids with careful planning, a cheerful outlook, and a lot of research, it can be a special and fulfilling experience. Giving these factors serious thought can help you and your kids succeed in this unique nursing job. From locating appropriate housing and attending to educational needs to keeping stability and encouraging open communication, these factors are essential.

The benefits of travel nursing, such as self-improvement, stable finances, and cherished family memories, can outweigh the difficulties. Therefore, if you’re thinking of taking your kids on a travel nursing experience, don’t forget to prepare, adjust, and enjoy the voyage together. Your children’s travel nursing experience can be a transforming and enriching chapter in your family’s history.

Have you taken on travel nursing with kids? Do you have any tips to share with your fellow travel nurses who may be considering it? Comment your your tips for travel nursing with kids below.

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Are you on the hunt for your next travel nurse gig? Look no further than our job board! Click here to explore all our current opportunities.

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If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

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Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Onestaff Medical provided this article.

Becoming a travel nurse can be both challenging and exciting, as well as come with huge life changes you may not expect. Travel nursing with a family can be even more challenging but also more rewarding, especially if you’re a single parent. Being able to expose your children to these journeys and not having to spend weeks or months away from them is truly a blessing.

Every family is different, so you need to think long and hard before deciding if it’s best to bring your children along on your next travel nursing job.

Can Travel Nurses Bring Their Children With Them?

Can you be a traveling nurse with a child? In short, yes! Your recruiter will work closely with you so your housing situation best fits your needs and wants. With there being roughly 10.5 million single parents in the United States, having a reliable job and housing is essential.

Deciding if this career path is right or if it’s best to bring your children along on your assignments is up to you. Your family is unique, and you must consider many factors before traveling cross-country.

Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing As a Single Parent

An effective way to assess if travel nursing with a family is ideal for you is by jotting down the pros and cons. Depending on how many kids you have, how old they are, and what grade they’re in in school, these decisions can be easy or difficult.

One of the benefits of travel nursing is that you can make it what you want. So, depending on your specialty and location, you may be able to pre-determine your schedule so it can fit your family’s needs. However, if that is not an option, obtaining child care may be a challenge, especially if you’re new to the area.

Pro: High Salary

While certain specialties and locations pay differently, typically, travel nursing positions pay very well. This is because travel nurses need to be flexible and accommodating over the course of their assignments. This dedication is rewarded with considerable pay, which can make it easier for you to pay for various necessities like childcare, after-school activities, and more.

It also provides an opportunity to invest in your children’s education and create a comfortable living environment. This financial stability adds to the appeal of the profession, allowing single parents to balance their career aspirations with their responsibilities and goals for their children.

Pro: Free Accommodations

Along with a high-paying salary, working with a travel nursing agency means that your housing accommodations will be taken care of. There are many housing options you can consider, including:

Airbnb
Extended Stay Hotels
Sublet Apartments
Friend’s or Family’s Home

This is especially important since you are not traveling by yourself. You can speak to your recruiter about your family’s size and needs, and they can help you find a suitable living situation. What’s great about this arrangement is that it is tied in with your salary, so you don’t have to worry about rent.

Pro: Schedule Flexibility

Travel nursing agencies value your time and family. That is why, when choosing an assignment, you can set up a schedule that meets your and your family’s needs. This gives you the ability to build your schedule around your children’s schedule, so you don’t have to worry about setting up after-school care.

This also allows you to spend quality time with your kids, which will help foster a strong bond while living in a new city. Whether you spend your evenings at home playing games or exploring the area, having time allotted for your family will make your next assignment easier and more rewarding.

Con: Work-Life Balance

Even though travel nursing allows for flexibility in scheduling, it’s important not to impede on your work-life balance. These positions can mean working long hours, so you should be tedious when creating your work schedule and take your kids into consideration.

Travel nursing parents should consider establishing a daily routine for the entire family to ensure everyone can manage their day efficiently. This routine should include set times for work, school, meal times, and family activities. By doing so, you can balance your professional commitments and your responsibilities as a parent, fostering a harmonious and well-organized family life.

Remember, successful travel nursing as a parent requires careful time management and coordination to provide the care your patients need and the attention your family deserves.

Con: Childcare and Education

If you are scheduled to work after school is let out and your kids are not old enough to be home alone, you must make childcare arrangements. There are many options for this, such as:

After-School Care or Activities
Child Care Programs
Find a Sitter Through Co-Workers, Friends, Family, or Other Resources

Travel nurses can address their children’s education by exploring options such as local schools or homeschooling programs.

Before starting an assignment, research the area to find suitable schools. It’s important to maintain communication with your child’s school and teachers. This may mean sharing your travel nursing assignment requirements and ensuring your child stays on track with their studies.

Alternatively, some travel nurses choose to homeschool their children, which allows for flexibility in lesson planning and scheduling. If you want to homeschool, you’ll have to consider how this will fit into your busy schedule and whether you’ll have enough time to give your kids the education they need.

Just because you are traveling does not mean your kids’ education has to take the back seat. By proactively managing their education, travel nurses can provide a stable and supportive learning environment for their children while pursuing their careers.

4 Tips for Travel Nursing As a Single Parent

Travel nursing can already come with its own level of stress. Before starting your next assignment, you’ll want to plan out how you can be a great nurse and parent without letting one area suffer because of the other.

Whether you need to hire a nanny while you are at work or form the assignment around your family’s schedule, it is possible to be a travel nurse as a single mom or dad.

Hire a Babysitter or Nanny

Since travel nurses make more money than staff nurses, you may be able to allot more of your salary towards nannies or babysitters. Whether you hire one for each location you move to or one to travel with you on your journeys, there are many options for you to consider. Hiring a permanent nanny comes with many benefits, including consistency for your children despite being placed in a dynamic environment.

Additionally, you can utilize websites like Child Care Network or Care.com to help you find care for children in your specific area. These sites provide reliable resources so your family can receive the care they need.

Another solution for childcare is teaming up with another travel nurse on your team. You can split schedules and take care of each other’s kids. This guarantees:

A Smart and Capable Caregiver
Friends For Your Children
Time Spent With Your Kids

Choose Assignments That Fit Your Family’s Schedule

If you don’t think an assignment will fit your family’s schedule, you may not want to accept it. You do not want to put your kids or yourself in an uncomfortable situation. Speaking to your family candidly will clear the air of any confusion so you can make the best decision possible.

Consider Your Child’s Needs

If you think moving across the country will negatively impact your kids’ education, social life, or interests, consider your options more carefully. It often takes children more time to get acquainted with their surroundings, so constantly uprooting them might make them uncomfortable.

Speak to your children about the importance of your work, how you can positively impact countless patients’ lives, and how they can be a part of that exciting journey.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Don’t let time with family be put on the back burner. When you are not working, it’s important to relax and spend time with your kids. Time spent with your children is priceless and should be valued, especially in a changing environment.

Our recruiters at OneStaff Medical are dedicated to helping you find the right assignment for your family. We’ll help you obtain proper housing, insurance, and more. Ready for a family adventure? Call us at 877-783-1483, and let’s get started!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

Sources:

https://www.advantismed.com/blog/can-you-travel-nurse-as-a-single-parent
https://nurse1sttravel.com/travel-nursing-with-family/
https://originnurses.com/2020/09/single-mom-travel-nurse-getting-that-balance/
https://www.travelnursing.org/super-moms-guide-to-travel-nursing-with-kids/
https://www.travelnursesource.com/notes/travel-nursing-as-a-single-parent

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Most nurses believe the only way to start traveling is to be childless or have adult children. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Back when I traveled before having kids, I met a number of nurses that traveled with their kids, and there are many blog posts detailing the best ways to travel with them in tow. But what if traveling with kids isn’t a viable option?

Believe it or not, nurses can travel alone and leave their kids at home if they want. In fact, once I got back into traveling after having kids, taking my two little boys, ages 9 and 5, along for the ride was not an option for me. So they stay home with their dad while I’m out of town. I know it may seem impossible, but I promise it really isn’t. Although it’s not a common or a traditional option, I decided to travel without my kids and figured out how to make it work for my family.

How It All Started

Traveling without my kids isn’t actually a new thing for me. In January 2017, I was working a full-time night position in a NICU in Houston. However, I didn’t live there. For 3 years, I commuted to work from Beaumont, Texas, which was usually around a 2-hour drive due to traffic. I drove to Houston Friday evenings, worked my 3 shifts, slept at my aunt’s house during the day, and returned home every Monday morning. My husband was home with the kids while I worked, and I stayed home during the week with the kids while he worked and went to school. At first glance, working out of town seemed insane to most of my coworkers, but after explaining how I made things balance, they could see the logic.

One day I came across an article about a nurse who lived in Pennsylvania and worked in California as a per diem staff employee. Initially, I thought this was absolutely insane. Commuting from another city is one thing, but commuting from another state? But the more I thought about it; I began to realize that it was actually quite genius, even though I didn’t think I could actually do it because my kids were so young. But the concept had definitely piqued my interest.

“Long-Distance Commuter” Nurse

Eventually, we moved to Houston during the summer of 2020 due to the pandemic changing my boarding arrangements. During that time, the travel nurse pay rates were at an all-time high. By summer 2021, a number of my young childless coworkers had left to travel, and I honestly wanted to go too. Realizing that I had already commuted between cities for work, leaving my kids behind for 3-4 days at a time, I figured that if I managed it the right way, I could drive (or fly) to a location, stay there and work my shifts, then go back home, just like I had done when I lived in Beaumont.

After many hours of research and conversations with my husband, I decided to quit my full-time job and start traveling again. Usually, when thinking of travel nursing, many assume that a nurse has to move to a new city every 13 weeks and stay in town for the duration of the contract. Since I had absolutely no intention of being away from my kids for 3 months, and taking them with me was not what we felt was the best option for them, I decided to do what some would refer to as long distance-commuting: travel out of town, work my shifts, then go back home. In December 2021, I took a night shift contract in Texarkana, TX, which was about a 4 ½ hour drive from my home. It worked out so well that I extended my contract until the end of April 2022.

Then came the real test: taking my next assignment in Colorado. Instead of driving within the same state to my assignment, I would need to fly across state lines to my assignment. I was excited to see if I could still make this work no matter where I worked in the country. Interestingly enough, about a month into my contract, my family and I moved from Texas to Maryland. Now I was commuting across the country to work, just like the nurse from the article.

My Travel/Commuter Schedule

Instead of working every weekend as I had done before, I decided to try working a “6 on, 8 off” rotation. I squished my 36-hour work weeks together to allow myself more time off. I worked Thursday through Tuesday and would be off until the following Thursday. Since I kept my work schedule on the same rotation, my travel itinerary was basically the same, regardless of my work location:

Day 1 – Leave for work

On Thursdays, I would hug and kiss my family goodbye and hit the road. Whether I drove or flew, I made sure I was in town a few hours before my 7 pm shift started. That way, I could get settled and maybe take a quick nap before leaving for work.

Days 2 through 6 – Work, Work, Work

Thursday night through Tuesday night, I worked my 12-hour shifts. Each morning I drove to wherever I was staying and slept from 9, or 10 am to 5 pm.

Day 7 – Return Home

On Wednesday mornings, I returned home. If I had to drive home, I usually would take a 2-3 hour nap first. If I flew home, I would drive to an offsite airport parking lot and then fly home. By Wednesday evening, I spent time with my family and then went to bed.

Day 8 through 14 – Enjoy my family

These days were filled with doctor appointments, school projects, parent/teacher conferences, swim class, soccer games, date nights, self-care massages, pedicures, you name it. I could literally do whatever I wanted or needed during this stretch of days off. And after that, it was time to go back to work.

Now don’t get me wrong…I know working six 12-hour night shifts isn’t for everyone, but I find it doable because I honestly love what I do. Sure I worked NICU in Houston too, but I never worked this rotation because I was a charge nurse and extremely involved with the unit. With travel nursing, I’m not in charge, nor am I involved in any unit councils or extra committees. It’s a lot less stressful; if anything, this rotation has allowed me to work less and have more time with my family.

Overall Impact on My Kids and Me

Admittedly, six days is a long time to be away from my kids. There are some mornings when I’m lying in bed just about to fall asleep, and I find myself missing them profoundly. But thanks to modern technology, I talk to them every day. My oldest son texts me as much as he wants. Daily video chats with my husband allow me to see him and my younger son so I can keep up with all the little things I may miss while I’m gone. But the trade-off is well worth it to me. Honestly, I have no idea how long I’ll continue to live the commuter-travel nurse life. What I do know is that this works for us right now. My kids have a stable schedule at home with their dad, and I can work the way I prefer. Hopefully, my unique story lets nurses know that even those of us with little kids can become travel nurses, regardless of whether we decide to travel with them or without them.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

“How on earth do you travel with kids?”
“I don’t think I’d ever be brave enough to travel with kids.”
“But isn’t it difficult to move around so much with two kids?
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize it was possible to travel with a family.”

Yes, I’m a travel nurse and a mom..

These are all some of the reactions that I’ve heard time and time again when people find out I am a travel nurse who travels with my husband and our two kids. It’s usually a conversation with another nurse at a hospital I’m at for an assignment. The nurse usually will casually ask me where I’m traveling from and how long I’ve been traveling. Somewhere down the line my kids naturally will come up in conversation (because, I’m a total mom and I talk about my two adorable kids nonstop) and that’s when the nurse connects the dots! Yes, I’m a travel nurse and a mom. And I absolutely love it.

It is Possible

If you’re a parent who has always wanted to give travel nursing a try, I want you to know that it’s completely possible. It’s possible AND it’s honestly one of the best decisions we’ve made as a family. I’ll tell you a little bit of our family’s story.

Before we decided to start this travel nurse lifestyle, my husband and I had been talking for quite some time about travel nursing as though it was some distant dream we would possibly try sometime in the future when we were empty nesters and our kids were grown. Maybe we’d set off on some grand adventure after he was retired and I was in the later years of my nursing career. The more we talked about it and dreamt of a future of traveling the country together, the more appealing it was to both of us. It became a very popular topic of conversation in our home that we couldn’t stop thinking and praying about. One day we just had to ask ourselves, “Why not now?”

Why not now?

Why wait until years and years down the road to pursue a dream we were so passionate about now? We started talking about how much fun it would be to travel around the country together as a family and to make those memories WITH our kids instead of waiting to experience that adventure after they were grown and out of the house. What a cool adventure to go on as a family.

That changed everything for us. We started doing our research about travel nursing with a family, and found that it wasn’t actually all that uncommon, as we had previously thought. We were able to find lots of other families who travel together with their kids! It wasn’t long before we started taking active steps towards making our dream a reality. In August of 2018 we began our big adventure as a family and we have spent this past year making the most incredible memories as we travel together around the country.

I’m not going to tell you that it’s all rainbows and butterflies

Now listen, I’m not going to tell you that it’s all rainbows and butterflies or that traveling with kiddos is easy peasy. Obviously, that’s not the case. (I mean, let’s be real… sometimes kids can make a simple trip to the grocery store turn into a huge life event.) Traveling with kids does come with its own unique sets of challenges. What will your kids do for school? Who will watch your kids while you work? Can you find housing that is kid-friendly? Is the city you’re thinking of traveling to going to be safe for kids? There are all kinds of additional factors you have to consider when you travel with children. That’s just the truth of it and I want to encourage parents to be prepared for those challenges as you go into it.

It is SO worth it!

All things considered, even with the challenges that traveling with kids brings to the table, it’s SO worth it to get to experience this lifestyle together. We absolutely love it! If you are a parent who has a dream of traveling with your kids while making a living – we encourage you to make it happen! Your kids will thank you for it!

Travel nursing with kids: what you should know:

Research and Planning

Housing and Accommodation

Maintaining Stability

Schooling and Education

Childcare and Support

The Rewards of Travel Nursing with Kids

Find Your Next Travel Nurse Assignment with Our Job Board!

Discover the Perfect Housing for Your Next Assignment

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Nontraditional Ways to Travel Nurse With a Family

Full of Life: 7 Ways to Raise Healthy Kids

Griswold Family Guide to Travel Nursing

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Hot Jobs

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Can Travel Nurses Bring Their Children With Them?

Pros and Cons of Travel Nursing As a Single Parent

Pro: High Salary

Pro: Free Accommodations

Pro: Schedule Flexibility

Con: Work-Life Balance

Con: Childcare and Education

4 Tips for Travel Nursing As a Single Parent

Hire a Babysitter or Nanny

Choose Assignments That Fit Your Family’s Schedule

Consider Your Child’s Needs

Manage Your Time Wisely

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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How It All Started

“Long-Distance Commuter” Nurse

My Travel/Commuter Schedule

Day 1 – Leave for work

Days 2 through 6 – Work, Work, Work

Day 7 – Return Home

Day 8 through 14 – Enjoy my family

Overall Impact on My Kids and Me

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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Yes, I’m a travel nurse and a mom..

It is Possible

Why not now?

I’m not going to tell you that it’s all rainbows and butterflies

It is SO worth it!

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